Chapter 1850: Chapter 593: Gradual Division of Status, Xiang Yan’s Setback (Part 2)

Xiang Yan spoke bluntly, saying that although the Xiang Family was just a noble family, it was definitely one of the top ones because his elder brother Xiang Liang was among the few noble sons of Great Xia with an eighth-rank Chixiao Title.

Indeed, his elder brother Xiang Liang successfully advanced his title early this year based on the military merit established at Evergreen Valley by Moao River.

But even so, Xiang Yan had to admit that compared to the Luo family behind Luo Cheng, his own family was still lacking in legacy.

Not to mention Luo Cheng’s father, Luo Ming, who was appointed as Mirror Valley Defense Commander in the second year of Great Xia, and titled in the sixth year. Moreover, he earned the appreciation of Jiang Xinfan, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of War, executing a top-secret mission to infiltrate the Feudal Town. Although he was currently only a ninth-rank Xuanling Marquis, once the mission was completed and he returned, everything would be totally different.

As for Luo Cheng, he fully participated in the northern campaign, but when it came to conferring titles early this year, it was completely unexpected that he was not titled. Xiang Yan heard the reason from his brother Xiang Liang.

It turned out that not only Luo Cheng but when titles were conferred early this year, not a single person from the Dragon Forbidden Guards received a title, because at the end of last year, during the Milk Tiger Forest raid incident targeting the Second Prince, the Dragon Forbidden Guards failed to respond effectively, and all were recorded with a fault. The Minister personally commanded them to compensate for their shortcomings through the northern campaign, hence none were titled.

Upon hearing this matter, Xiang Yan was naturally astonished by the strict military discipline of the Dragon Forbidden Guards.

However, not being titled now does not mean it won’t happen in the future. The Dragon Forbidden Guards are originally the closest guards to the lord in the Xia Palace, with plenty of opportunities for titles. Moreover, being selected for the Dragon Forbidden Guards itself is the strongest proof of a clean background and exceptional qualifications. People like this still worry about not having a chance for a title?

Not to mention anything else, it’s worth noting that his brother Xiang Liang’s current strength seems to be only 52 Zong, merely 2 to 3 Zong higher than Luo Cheng. The problem is Luo Cheng is only twenty-one this year, seven years younger than his brother. Is this a gap? Luo Cheng surpassing his brother is just a matter of time.

His over-familiarity with Luo Cheng stems from an unwillingness deep in Xiang Yan’s heart. If not for limitations in aptitude, how could he be content with just being a merchant?

Especially after being a coal merchant for several months, he recognized increasingly deeply that not to mention someone like him, even those giant official merchants who monopolize a type of resource and operate on a massive scale are still regarded as insignificant by officials of some rank in Great Xia.

Take the simplest example, he has been a coal merchant for six months, and the highest-ranking official he has encountered is the supervisor of the coal warehouse in the South Sixth District of the Outer City. As the name suggests, the coal warehouse is one of the subordinate warehouses of the Camp Supply Department, and not an important one at that.

There are a total of five supervisors in the coal warehouse of the South Sixth District, without a rank, considered not officials but clerks. Above them, the Chief of the coal warehouse is of ninth-grade; above the Chief are the Deputy Managers of the warehouse, holding eighth-rank titles; further up are the Managers of the warehouse, holding seventh-rank titles; the Chiefs of the four areas – warehouse, dispatch, escort, and account – are on the same level, followed by the Vice Military Preparation Officer of the South Six District Camp Needs Bureau, holding sixth-rank titles; further up is the South Six District Military Preparation Envoy holding fifth-rank titles.

Thus, the supervisors of the coal warehouse in the South Sixth District, a clerk not at entry-level, initially were indifferent when he came to collect goods. It wasn’t until later when he inadvertently revealed his brother Xiang Liang’s details that his coal trade business didn’t run as smoothly as it does now.

Even a clerk is like this, one can only imagine officials of rank.

Xiang Yan, as an inner city resident and with his brother Xiang Liang, is very familiar with the hierarchy of Great Xia. According to him, the Dragon Forbidden Guards are the attendants of the Xia Palace, enjoying treatment higher than the Numbered Army, and even ordinary soldiers of the Dragon Forbidden Guards hold a ninth-grade nominal title.

The Dragon Forbidden Guards have a thousand-member establishment, higher than ordinary soldiers are captains, and higher than captains are commanders, meaning Luo Cheng, as a commander of the Third Camp, should hold a seventh-grade official title.

His brother Xiang Liang is the Chief of Punishment for the Prison Department in Hongmen City, holding a fifth-rank title, two ranks higher than Luo Cheng. But the Xia people have a saying, Capital officials rank three grades higher, meaning a ninth-grade official in the capital is comparable to a sixth-grade outside.

It makes sense, disregarding the difference in treatment, life in Xia City today is far higher than outside. If one could stay in Xia City, who would want to go out to suffer, take risks, and endure hardship?

Moreover, staying in the Xia Capital, once chosen by a prominent figure, the future is limitless, much faster than getting promoted through diligent work outside.

Because of these reasons, Xiang Yan knows in his heart that no matter in terms of aptitude, family background, or status, Luo Cheng is higher than his brother Xiang Liang. Moreover, the two families have never had any contact before, so it is normal that Luo Cheng doesn’t recognize his brother Xiang Liang.

"Does the lord recognize my brother?"

Thus, when he heard Luo Cheng calling out his brother’s official title and recognizing him, he felt honored and, at the same time, couldn’t help but curiously ask.

Luo Cheng naturally didn’t know that with just one sentence, he made Xiang Yan think so much in such a short time. He saw the other party was somewhat tense, smiled, raised his hand, and said: "Early this year at Evergreen Valley, I met your brother a few times. Seeing you resemble Punishment Chief Xiang a little, and you share the same surname, I guessed!"

Being able to speak with a top talent like Luo Cheng, Xiang Yan was naturally extremely excited inside. He hurriedly ordered his subordinates to push the cart away first, while he approached Luo Cheng to continue the conversation, and took the opportunity to inquire about his brother Xiang Liang’s situation in the north.

"Your brother’s strength in the north is improving rapidly. I remember when he returned early this year, he had already reached 57 Zong in strength. Guangning City is the trade port between Great Xia and Cai Qiu, and there’s no shortage of good things. If all goes well, he might already be challenging Xianyang Level now. Yuwen Sizheng is personally stationed at Guangning Mountain, so don’t worry about his safety..."

Luo Cheng immediately saw Xiang Yan’s worry about Xiang Liang and smiled to comfort him.

What he didn’t know was that with these words, Xiang Yan was completely stunned, especially the latter part about possibly challenging Xianyang Level now if all went well, which instantly made his face flush, making him visibly excited.

"Thank you, my lord..."

"Who is it!"

Xiang Yan was about to express his gratitude, but unexpectedly Luo Cheng suddenly noticed something, his expression became sharp, and he turned his head outside the palace gates, shouting sharply.

The dozens of soldiers on duty at the palace gates responded to the call, a wave of hot blood surged to the sky, and Xiang Yan, whose strength was just above 5 Zong, was unable to endure, almost stumbling and failing to stay standing.

"The ordinary soldiers of the Dragon Forbidden Guards must have Basic Strength above 30 Zong. I’m similar in age to these people, but the gap in strength is immense to this extent. No wonder my brother said I was only fit for commerce..."

Xiang Yan realized the huge gap between himself and these peers from the Dragon Forbidden Guards, and the excitement from earlier when Luo Cheng spoke to him vanished instantly, leaving only a deep frustration and powerlessness. He sighed inwardly.

"It’s me!"

Regardless of his inner frustration, the rapidly approaching figure outside the palace gates neared quickly.

"Greetings, Great Attendant Sun!"

As the person approached and his appearance was clearly seen, Luo Cheng was first stunned, then quickly cupped his hands in salute, followed by the other soldiers who also hurriedly saluted.

"The six Great Attendants of the Xia Palace specifically protect the two princes, surnamed Sun, is the Second Prince’s Great Attendant Sun Yan, Master Sun, a Xianyang Level expert!"

A Xianyang Level expert, still one of the top figures of Great Xia today, Xiang Yan was seeing for the first time and couldn’t help but curiously look at Sun Yan.

Despite being a Xianyang Level expert, Sun Yan still had to disarm when entering the Xia Palace, accepting the checks of Solidified Fire Oil by Luo Cheng and others. Fortunately, he was also well-behaved, and at this moment seemed a bit anxious, quickly stepped forward to take off his long sword from his waist, then beckoned to Luo Cheng and others for a quick inspection.

"Did you go north for business, is there good news?"

Mil.

In response to Luo Cheng’s clear familiarity with Sun Yan, during the inspection, noticing the excitement on Sun Yan’s brows, he couldn’t help asking.

Without hesitation, Sun Yan directly nodded with a smile: "Chen Cang withdrew troops during the day, the entire ten thousand army retreated, not a single one left, our army has retaken East River City without bloodshed, and drove Chen Cang’s army to the Blood Corridor."

Upon hearing this, Luo Cheng paused, then his expression suddenly became excited.

"I must report to the madam, no more chatting with you!"

Originally planning to say more, Sun Yan, seeing the inspection was over, was not at all delaying and directly hurried into the palace gates, headed towards the Lord’s Hall.

"Chen Cang withdrawing troops means the last tactic left by the Feudal Town has been decisively cut off. Hereafter, the Southern Slope Territory is solely Great Xia’s domain!"

Xiang Yan, at this moment, also expressed excitement.

Although not holding an official position nor in the military, Xiang Yan still had some understanding of the current situation facing Great Xia, so he immediately recognized the importance of the news Sun Yan had just shared.

With Chen Cang’s withdrawal, henceforth, the entire Southern Slope Territory is truly under Great Xia’s control, without the threat of the Feudal Town, Great Xia can also peacefully begin developing.

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